Undocumented Immigrant Fatally Shot in Chicago After Resisting ICE Arrest and Striking Officer with Car

An undocumented immigrant was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during an enforcement operation after he resisted arrest and dragged the agent with his car while attempting to flee, the Department of Homeland Security informed on Friday.

The incident occurred in a Chicago suburb on Friday morning when immigration agents tried to stop Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, an undocumented immigrant with a history of reckless driving, according to a DHS statement. When agents attempted to arrest him, Villegas-Gonzalez allegedly drove his vehicle toward law enforcement, hitting one ICE officer.

The officer, who remains unidentified, sustained multiple injuries after being dragged a "significant distance" by Villegas-Gonzalez's vehicle. He is currently in stable condition, DHS said.

"We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. She added, "Viral social media videos and activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation but also undermine public safety, as well as the safety of our officers and those being apprehended."

In its statement, DHS also claimed that ICE law enforcement has faced a "1000% increase in assaults" during enforcement operations. Agency data shows that from January 21 to July 14, ICE officers experienced an 830% increase in assaults compared to the same period in 2024.

One recent example involved an ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agent who was brutally attacked by Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang, in Bellevue, Nebraska. Hurtado-Cariaco reportedly threw the agent to the ground, slammed her head into the pavement, ripped off her body armor, and made repeated violent physical contact. The agent sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

As reported by The New York Times, ICE has increased immigration arrests in Chicago this week following the launch of Operation Midway Blitz on September 8, an operation which targets violent gangs, drug traffickers, and undocumented immigrants in partnership with the Chicago Police Department.

DHS said the operation was launched in honor of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run in January by Julio Cucul-Bol, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala.

"This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets," DHS said when announcing the operation.

Operation Midway Blitz has already led to arrests of individuals DHS describes as "pedophiles, abusers, rapists, and other violent thugs."

According to the Times, residents of Chicago have been vigilant, reporting ICE activity and sightings to hotlines and websites tracking enforcement. Local officials confirm an uptick in ICE presence since the operation began.

"In just the last few days in Chicago, ICE has arrested pedophiles, rapists, abusers, armed robbers, and other violent thugs," McLaughlin said. "President Trump and [DHS] Secretary Noem have a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return."